Step for spindles.



No. 64|,00L Patented Jan. 9, |900. G n DRAPER STEP FUR SPINDLES.

(Application led May 22, 1897.)

.(No Model.)

laveior: Geary by M47 Nirnn arr; r on.

GEORGE O. DRAPER, OF I-IOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE DRAPER COMPANY.

STEP FOR SPINDLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,001, dated January 9, 1900.

Application filed lllay 22,1897. Serial No. 637,705. (No model.)

To aZZ whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Oris DRAPER, of Hopedale, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improve- -ment in Spindle-Supports, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

I'Ieretofore it has been customary to restrain the rotation of bearings in a bolster case or support by or through pins or projections carried by the support and entering notches or spaces of the bearings, andv especially this class ot bearings are used when united by or through a screw-thread. In this invention I have aimed to do away with the means heretofore employed for restraining the rotation of the bearings and I have so made them that they will be self-retainingin substantially the position they may be left after the adjustment of the bearings without the use of the usual extra part-s.

Figure l of the drawings represents a spindle, a bolster-case, a bolster, and a step embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 shows the step detached.

The rail A, the bolster-case B, secured to the rail by or through a nut B', and the spindle C, having a sleeve-whirl C', and the bolster D, mounted loosely in the bolster-case and surrounded, as herein shown, by a packing d and threaded at its lowerend internally, are and may be all as usual.

My improved step presents at its upper end the usual screw-thread e to fit the hole at the lower end of the bolster; but the lower end of the step is quite novel, it being eonvexed eX- ternally, as at e, and slotted, as at e2, the said slots, as herein represented,being two in number to divide the lower end of the step into four substantially equal arms or feet, which are free to yield somewhat as they are forced into the bore of the bolster-case, they thereafter acting frictionally to restrain the rotation of the step in the bolster-case. This step has a shoulder e3, upon which rests a spring e4, which acts by pressure upon thelower end of the bolster to restrain the rotation of the bolster independently of the step.

In this class of spindle-bearings the proper 'maintained by taking out the spindle at times and turning the bolster more or less on the step, thus raising or lowering its interiorsurface to contact properly with the tapered surface of the spindle.

By 'splitting the lower end ot' the step and making it so that in its normal condition the diameter ot the lower end of the step through its convex portion Ve is alittle larger than the diameter of the bore in the bolster which is to surround the said step it is possible to push the said step down into the bolster and have it retained there frictionally against any possibility of rotation in the bolster-case during the operation ot' the spindle; but by engaging the bolster, the bearings being removed, and turning the same with a force sufficient to overcome the normal pressure of the spring the bolster itself may be readily turned on the step, to thus adjust it vertically with relation to the step to lit the taper of the pi'ntle of the spindle.A

This invention is not limited to any particular number of slits in the step, as the lower end of the said step may be cut into two or more segments.

The bolster and its connected step and spring may be readily withdrawn from the bolster-case by a strong pull, and the use of the pin heretofore employed is completely done away with.

It will be noticed that the spring acts by friction to restrain the movement of the bolster instead of using upturned ends and notches, as has been customary.

I am aware that spindle-steps have been notched and that a pin carried by the bolster-case has entered said notch to restrain the step from rotation with the spindle. Such construction, however, results in the wasting of considerable time when lthe step is being put into the bolster-case, for the slot has to be put accurately upon the pin, thus making it slow and difficult to assemble the parts. A slotted step held in position by a pin interferes with the movement of the yielding parts of the bolster above the step, and the slotan d-pin connection acts unevenly, it operating differently on one side of the case than upon IOO the other side thereof. To prevent a highspeed spindle from vibrating, it is necessary that the bearings above the step move freely, and anything which interferes with such freedom of movement is more or less detrimental. In my invention, however, where the step has a series of yielding arms or feet which may be compressed as the step is forced into the bolster-case, the difficulties heretofore attending the use of the slotted step and pin are obviated.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is@- l. Aspindle-step made substantially spherical at its lower end and split as at e2 to form a series of stiff yet yielding arms e', combined with a bolster-case into the lower end of which the said step is iitted, the said arms bein g compressed as the step is forced into the bolster-case, the said arms being retained in the bolster-case frictionally against rotation, substantially as described.

2. A bolster-case, and a bolster therein, threaded at its lower end, combined with a step provided at its upper end with a thread to engage the threads of the bolster, and slotted at its lower end to thereby constitute yielding feet or arms which are adapted to be held frictionally in the opening of the bolster-case, substantially as described.

3. A bolster case, and a bolster therein threaded at itsl lower end, combined with a step provided at its upper end with a thread to engage the threads of the bolster and slotted at its lower end to thereby constitute yielding feet or arms which are adapted to be held frictionally in the opening of the bolster-case, and a spring interposed between a shoulder on the said step and the lower end of the said bolster, to operate, substantially as described.

4. A bolster-case, a bearing mounted therein loosely and having an attached step, said step being slotted at its lower end to present yielding arms or feet, said arms or feet being compressed when forced into the bolster-case, they thereafter acting frictionally against the interior of said case to prevent rotation of the step with the spindle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. v

GEORGE O. DRAPER. Vitnesses:

E. D. BANCROFT, FRED W. ABELL. 

